Rugby league manager 'too busy' winning games to care for severely hurt dog

Tank did not recover from injuries he suffered after being struck by a vehicle. His owner was prosecuted after he failed to get the dog treatment. Photo / Supplied

A Whangarei rugby league manager told an SPCA inspector he was "too busy" with his winning team to deal with his severely injured dog, found unconscious on the road.

Parakoti Engu has been banned from owning animals for five years and will have to complete 120 hours' community work and pay $3163 in reparation, after appearing in the Whangarei District Court yesterday.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to ensure an injured animal received treatment to alleviate pain or distress. The charge is punishable by a maximum 12-month prison term or a fine of up to $50,000.

The court was told that a resident in William Jones Dr, Otangarei, found the injured tan and white male pitbull terrier cross dog lying on a lawn on August 11 last year.

The dog was in thin condition, had wounds on his body and was very unsteady on his feet. The animal inspector tracked the owner of the dog to a nearby house, where Engu identified the dog as his and was named Tank. He told the inspector Tank had been injured two days previously.

Engu said he had found his dog unconscious on the road after returning home from the local rugby league grand final. He moved the dog into his garage and covered him with a blanket. Engu said he did not have time to take the dog to a vet because he was the manager of a winning league team and was too busy.

He told the inspector the dog had regained consciousness the following morning, so he thought it was coming right.

Tank was inspected by the SPCA vet , who found he was suffering from two fractures to his skull, a spinal compression, lacerations and tenderness over his body, consistent with being hit by a car and was also in thin condition. Blood test results were also consistent with him having suffered a traumatic injury.

Tank remained with the SPCA and received treatment for his injuries. Although the dog's weight improved quickly and follow-up x-rays taken on October 7 showed healing in the areas of the injuries, they also showed reduced invertebral disc space.

Tank was unable to lift his head and experienced continued pain in his neck, with a reluctance to turn his head. The jaw was not lining up properly. He was euthanised on September 10.